ISWI Chapter 322-323

Chapter 322: What Exactly Does She Want from Me?

The system's feedback echoed in Ye Chen's mind, and a spark of delight flashed in his eyes. Truth be told, he hadn't expected a critical hit. He'd thought that receiving the complete Kun Peng Treasure Technique would already be a massive win.

But to his surprise, it had actually triggered a critical hit—not only did he gain the Kun Peng Treasure Technique, but he also received the combat experience of the Kun Peng from the Vicious Ten at the Nascent Soul stage. The value of this was beyond imagination.

This wasn't just any Kun Peng. It was the legendary Kun Peng that had earned its fearsome reputation among the Vicious Ten. Its combat experience was undoubtedly formidable, far beyond what most could fathom. And for Ye Chen, this was exactly what he needed right now.

As he prepared to enter the Holy Land, Ye Chen was well aware that his future enemies would no longer be small fries like Tian Mingzi or the Champion King. Instead, he'd face true top-tier prodigies—those capable of fighting across realms, just like him. He could crush Tian Mingzi and the Champion King with his overwhelming foundation, but could he do the same to the Eldest Senior Brother or Dantai Xuan? That was far from certain.

When the gap in foundation narrowed, combat experience became critical. The one who could fully unleash their strength would emerge victorious. The Kun Peng's combat experience from the Vicious Ten had come at the perfect moment, ensuring Ye Chen's path as the Holy Son would be far more secure.

This sudden critical hit shifted Ye Chen's perspective on Lin Qingtan. He had known about the Holy Maiden, Dantai Xuan, and her own impressive reputation, so Lin Qingtan's thousandfold multiplier hadn't initially dazzled him. But now, with his very first gift triggering a critical hit—and her evident enthusiasm—it was clear what this meant. Lin Qingtan was undoubtedly a remarkable woman.

It would be a pity only to catch fleeting glimpses of her at other peaks. If he could recruit her to his Holy Son Peak as an elder, that would be ideal. Her combat prowess was formidable, capable of handling dangerous tasks, saving him the trouble of dealing with them personally.

With this in mind, Ye Chen's eyes gleamed brighter. He spoke up, extending an invitation. "Elder Lin, would you be willing to join my Holy Son Peak as an elder once I enter the Holy Land?"

What?

Lin Qingtan had already felt a twinge of unease under Ye Chen's intense gaze. Those fervent eyes, as if beholding some rare treasure, struck her as odd. Surely, the dignified Holy Son wouldn't be so easily swayed by the sight of a female cultivator. Besides, if Ye Chen used his Heavy Pupils to see her true appearance, he'd likely lose any interest.

Since breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage, her Yin Nether Demonic Body had erupted uncontrollably, its effects impossible to suppress. Her face was now marred with indelible Yin Nether demonic patterns.

To Lin Qingtan, her appearance was utterly repulsive. Ever since reaching this stage, she had concealed her face, never revealing her true visage. If the Holy Son saw her, he'd probably steer clear. So, she dismissed his earlier gaze as a misunderstanding.

But Ye Chen's invitation gave her genuine pause. Lin Qingtan was a bona fide Holy Land elder, and with her exceptional talent and combat prowess, her treatment ranked among the highest even among other Deity Transformation elders. Though her cultivation had stalled for years, she hadn't given up, tirelessly experimenting with various methods to mitigate the side effects of her Yin Nether Demonic Body. These attempts required vast amounts of resources and rare treasures.

Joining the Holy Son Peak, however, would mean losing access to the sect's resource allocations. As a newly appointed Holy Son, Ye Chen's peak would have limited resources, and without a powerful family backing him, the resources she could access would likely dwindle. If the Holy Son Peak underperformed, those resources might shrink further each year, leaving her with even less.

In that case, she'd be forced to pin all her hopes on Ye Chen—a prospect she was reluctant to embrace.

Yet… Lin Qingtan thought of Ye Chen's origins. Rising from a small clan and a minor sect, he now possessed the Black Yellow Primordial Essence Bell, True Dragon and True Phoenix Treasure Techniques, and even what seemed to be an Immortal Scripture. Such fortune was nothing short of astonishing.

If she became an elder of the Holy Son Peak, she'd be in close proximity to Ye Chen, building a bond over time. There might even be missions where they'd venture out together, allowing her to leverage his extraordinary luck to encounter the opportunities she sought.

She had to take the gamble.

What did it matter if her resources dwindled? She'd tried countless methods without success. If she could never resolve her physique's issue, what use were all the resources in the world?

So, in the instant Ye Chen posed the question, Lin Qingtan's mind raced through countless considerations. In the next moment, she replied decisively, "Yes! I'm willing to join the Holy Son Peak."

Her answer was so swift and resolute that Ye Chen was momentarily stunned. He had been ready to inquire about her current treatment, prepared to double or even triple it to secure her. As long as it increased his chances of triggering a critical hit, anything was negotiable. But before he could even broach the subject, Lin Qingtan had agreed?

Ye Chen looked at her, his gaze now tinged with confusion. Just what did this Elder Lin want from him? If she was after some treasure, why not just say it outright?

Ye Chen held back from asking. Since she clearly had something she wanted, she'd speak up when the time was right. Instead, he looked at Lin Qingtan with a slight smile. "Thank you for your trust, Elder Lin. I won't let you down."

Lin Qingtan nodded in response.

The other elders watched the scene with mixed emotions. They all knew the problem Lin Qingtan faced. Her decision to join the Holy Son Peak was clearly a desperate gamble. But the Yin Nether Demonic Body was no simple matter. Even the Holy Land's Supreme Elders had examined it and failed to find a solution, only managing to place a temporary seal to suppress it.

Ye Chen might be a prodigy, but it would take at least a century for him to fully mature. Whether he could resolve her issue even then was uncertain. Lin Qingtan's all-in bet might end up being for nothing.

Still, the elders couldn't help but admire Ye Chen's generosity. He had casually gifted the Kun Peng Imprint, and before that, he'd given away the Northern Emperor War Chariot. Such magnanimity reminded them of the First Holy Son, Hua Yunfei.

...

The massive skyship descended slowly, casting a shadow that blotted out the sun. The elders were preparing to depart, ready to bring Ye Chen back to the Holy Land to announce the arrival of the Fourth Holy Son.

But Ye Chen shook his head and turned to An Miaoli, who wore a complicated expression, offering her a gentle smile. "Please, elders, go on ahead. I still have some matters to attend to. Once they're settled, I'll head to the Holy Land."

Ye Chen couldn't just leave without tying up loose ends. There were An Yuyi and her niece at the Divine Will Sect, as well as his Eldest Senior Sister, Lu Jing, and others at the Green Cloud Sect. They needed to be brought along.

Elder Mo, Ye Chen's chosen protector, spoke in a calm, aged voice. "Very well. Fellow Daoists, you may return first. I'll stay to protect the Holy Son." With a nod to Ye Chen, Elder Mo vanished into the void, his presence completely concealed.

With Elder Mo's protection, the other elders had no concerns. They boarded the skyship one by one. Lin Qingtan gave Ye Chen a nod before gracefully ascending. Halfway up, however, she paused, frowning slightly as she looked back at Li Feihuang, who stood rooted to the spot. "Feihuang, it's time to return to the Holy Land!"

Li Feihuang snapped out of her daze. Her delicate face was etched with complex emotions, her vibrant lips—red as phoenix blood—bearing the faint marks of her teeth. But her gaze lingered on Ye Chen, who didn't spare her a glance. Instead, he was already flying toward An Miaoli.

Chapter 323: Don't Bully the Old and Poor!

Her master's call snapped Li Feihuang out of her daze. With a reluctant glance at Ye Chen's retreating figure, she hurriedly followed Lin Qingtan onto the skyship.

As the skyship began to move, Lin Qingtan glanced at her distracted disciple. "Why didn't you greet him? Didn't Ye Chen once help you secure the throne?"

Li Feihuang's expression grew even more complicated, a bitter pang rising in her heart. In the past, Ye Chen had been utterly devoted to her, catering to her every need. If it hadn't been for that matter of demanding he marry into her family, if they hadn't fallen out, the Kun Peng Imprint Ye Chen gifted to her master would likely have been hers instead.

She didn't want to speak of it. Admitting the truth would make her a laughingstock. To think she had tried to force the future Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution to marry into her family and even leave behind a wisp of his soul—such a story would surely provoke endless ridicule for her lack of foresight.

Lowering her head, Li Feihuang mumbled, "There was a misunderstanding." Then, shifting the topic, she frowned. "Master, are you really going to join Ye Chen's Holy Son Peak?"

Lin Qingtan nodded.

Li Feihuang's brows furrowed tighter. "If you join the Holy Son Peak, what about me?"

Lin Qingtan replied casually, "Naturally, you'll join me at the Holy Son Peak."

At those words, Li Feihuang's heart filled with resistance. That day, Ye Chen had unhesitatingly rejected her offer to be his servant, bringing her immense humiliation. It had fueled her determination to one day stand above him, to make him regret his choice. Later, she had become a direct disciple of the Holy Land, a step closer to her dream.

Yet, upon their reunion, Ye Chen had become the Holy Son. His displayed talent rivaled even Hua Yunfei's, and during his Nascent Soul tribulation, Kun Peng, one of the Vicious Ten, had appeared. Great powers at the Unity Realm were vying to be his Protector. This was something Li Feihuang could hardly accept.

But what pained her most was that Ye Chen truly seemed to have forgotten her entirely. Since their reunion, she had imagined countless scenarios of speaking with him—a warm smile to mend past grievances, a cold exchange with no words, or even Ye Chen mocking her. She could have accepted any of those outcomes.

Li Feihuang had never imagined that Ye Chen's eyes would never once linger on her. Being ignored by him was something she couldn't bear. Because of this, the idea of joining the Holy Son Peak was utterly unacceptable to her. If she joined as a disciple, wouldn't that make her Ye Chen's subordinate? To become the underling of someone she once considered her right-hand man—that was something Li Feihuang could not stomach.

"Master, I don't want to go to the Holy Son Peak. Isn't our current peak perfectly fine? We have plenty of resources," she pleaded. "If we go to the Holy Son Peak, there might not be enough cultivation resources. The strength of a peak affects many interests and could hinder our path to immortality."

Li Feihuang tried to persuade her master, but Lin Qingtan had already made up her mind. How could she be swayed? She replied calmly, "I've decided. If you don't wish to come, you can stay behind."

Li Feihuang's face stiffened at her words.

Perhaps taking pity on her, Lin Qingtan softened slightly and added, "The new Holy Son carries immense fortune, and his future achievements will be limitless. For cultivators seeking the Dao, there are two paths: either become invincible yourself or follow someone with great fortune. But becoming invincible is incredibly difficult. Following someone with great fortune is no easy task either—just look at how even Unity Realm experts are vying to be his Protector. For cultivators, everything besides cultivation is trivial. Let go of your attachments."

With that, Lin Qingtan fell silent. She placed the Kun Peng Imprint Ye Chen had given her against her forehead, extending her spiritual sense to comprehend it. Soon, she entered a deep state of cultivation.

As for her disciple, she had said enough. The path was Li Feihuang's to walk—no amount of advice could force her to choose. Li Feihuang stared at the Kun Peng Imprint, her expression growing even more complicated.

...

"Senior Brother Ye?"

Ye Chen landed in front of An Miaoli. An Yuyi was the first to rush forward, clinging to his arm. Her large eyes sparkled with admiration. She could never forget the image of Ye Chen arriving with wings aglow with seven-colored divine light, suppressing enemies and saving her. And now, watching him face eighty-one heavenly tribulations and battle an ancient ferocious Kun Peng, while effortlessly erasing the once-terrifying Tian Mingzi without lifting a finger—it only deepened her awe. Holding onto Ye Chen, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.

The Divine Will Ancestor and others looked at Ye Chen with a mix of admiration and reverence. Who could have predicted that, in the blink of an eye, Ye Chen would become the Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, with a Unity Realm expert guarding him from the void? It was staggering, leaving them at a loss for words.

Ye Chen chuckled softly, ruffling An Yuyi's fluffy hair before turning to An Miaoli. "I'll be heading to the Holy Land soon. Senior An, would you and Yuyi like to come with me?"

An Miaoli was, of course, a must-bring. With her near-Heavenly Spirit Root, her multiplier would surely skyrocket. Plus, being at the early Nascent Soul stage like him, she had a high chance of triggering a critical hit. She was the perfect candidate for gifting.

An Miaoli's heart stirred at the invitation. The Holy Land—how could any cultivator with ambitions for the immortal path not be tempted? Especially with Ye Chen there. An Yuyi didn't hesitate for a moment. "I want to go!"

An Miaoli, however, glanced at the Divine Will Ancestor. Having grown up in the Divine Will Sect, she couldn't just leave without the sect's approval.

Catching her gaze, the Divine Will Ancestor spoke without hesitation. "Go, go! What's there to hesitate about when it's the Holy Land? Just don't forget the Divine Will Sect. If we're ever in trouble, come back to help."

The Divine Will Ancestor was genuinely supportive, not speaking out of fear of Ye Chen. For a sect, a strong cultivator's greatest value was ensuring its legacy. If An Miaoli went to the Holy Land, she would undoubtedly grow stronger. Other forces, knowing the Divine Will Sect had a former grand elder in the Holy Land, would think twice before causing trouble. Her presence there would be a greater deterrent than if she stayed.

So, the Divine Will Ancestor agreed without hesitation.

Then, with a hopeful look at Ye Chen, he added, "Why not take me along too?"

He was curious and wanted to see the Holy Land for himself. Even if he left, the sect still had another Nascent Soul cultivator to hold the fort. Though that cultivator was a bit weak, with Tian Mingzi freshly dead, no one would dare stir trouble at the Divine Will Sect.

Ye Chen's lips twitched at the suggestion. He was well aware of the Divine Will Ancestor's track record—bluntly put, the old man was absurdly weak. While Ye Chen's Holy Son Peak would surely have ample resources in the future and could support more people, he couldn't just let anyone join.

Shaking his head, Ye Chen replied tactfully, "Ancestor, you're getting on in years. Why not stay and enjoy your later years at the Divine Will Sect? The immortal path might be too much to pursue."

His words were somewhat diplomatic, but not entirely. The Divine Will Ancestor, battered by recent setbacks, caught the hint of disdain and fumed, his lips twitching. "You little… Thirty years east, thirty years west… Don't bully the old and poor…"